Tasting notes·Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban 14 Years

For several years now, a selection of longer-matured releases has enriched Glenmorangie's core range, including the Quinta Ruban. This single malt matures for a minimum of 10 years in former bourbon casks before undergoing additional maturation in port wine casks, elevating its total age to 14 years. It's noteworthy that this whisky is bottled without chill filtration. While the design of Glenmorangie's packaging recently underwent a complete overhaul, we still have a bottle from the older series, the contents of which are purportedly unchanged.

The panel

Marcel
76
Sascha
80

Mean 78.0 · spread 4

Value for money 3/5

Distillery
Glenmorangie
Type
Single Malt
Region
Highlands
Country
Scotland
Age
14 years
Strength
46% ABV
Character
rich

Tasting

Nose

Upon the initial nosing, the Quinta Ruban reveals itself with the characteristic Glenmorangie aroma, though noticeably more robust. The sweet and tangy fragrance is interwoven with fruity nuances reminiscent of blood orange, grapefruit, and fig. Spicy notes of ground hazelnuts and a hint of dark chocolate also make their presence known.

Palate

On the palate, the Quinta Ruban presents itself in the manner typical of Glenmorangie: silky-smooth and oily. The influences of the port wine casks fully unfold here. The harmonious combination of citrusy sweetness and chocolate brings to mind a soft cake. A slightly herbal note, most reminiscent of mint, joins the symphony. In combination with the chocolate lingering on the palate, this creates a truly wonderful melange.

Finish

The finish is long and intense. Peppery spiciness, coupled with a generous dose of oak, lingers on the palate. Citrus notes and a subtle hint of baking cocoa or dark chocolate persist in the background.

Verdicts

Marcel

A whisky that simply delights with its fruity-sweet port wine notes and silky texture – perfect for those seeking more intense malts without feeling overwhelmed. Glenmorangie demonstrates here how 14 years of maturation can combine character and drinkability without becoming boring.

Sascha

The Quinta Ruban impresses with its balanced interplay between fruity sweetness and spicy oak spice, supported by a solid 46% ABV. Its complex structure and long finish make it a successful addition to the Glenmorangie range, although a touch more finesse wouldn’t have gone amiss.

What it is worth

We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Glenmorangie as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.

£1£10£100£1k£10k2005200820112014201720202023

Latest mean bid £106 across 579 lots · 2024-08

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2023-12-03.